Tactical Shooters:

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General Ranting, Spouting, Haranguing, Tirades and Declamations	Security at Home
Security in Your Car	Security on the Street
Security at Work	The International Defensive Pistol Association is Changing

General Ranting, Spouting, Haranguing, Tirades and Declamations
by
Gary W. Burris

I took the renewal CHL class recently and it brought to mind several of the pet peeves that reside within my fertile mind. And I figured the best way to blow off some steam was to write it down and publish my thoughts in our newsletter. Those of you who know me will have heard me elucidate at length on most of the topics in this article. To the others who read this, I ask your indulgence because the world will be a better place for having vented some of my frustration in this fashion.

Wouldn't it be great if our concealed handgun license were valid in all fifty states? I have a heck of a time trying to remember which states have reciprocity with Texas. Texas does not recognize some state's CHL permits but those states will honor a Texas CHL. Some states allow open carry and some do not require a license to carry concealed. There are even some liberal parts of the country where only criminals can have concealed weapons. I say make the CHL laws equal in all fifty states or make a federal CHL available to law-abiding citizens.

There was a grandmotherly senior citizen in the class that, to my dismay, represents a large portion of folks who reside in our fair state and have a CHL. Several things she said bothered me and I'll take this opportunity to address them.

Her handgun of choice is a small 25-caliber pistol (too small a caliber for CHL test), so she had to borrow a gun from the range in order to do the shooting portion of the CHL renewal. I doubt that she could have handled a malfunction, but she was lucky it was a Glock and functioned flawlessly for her. My problem with this is that she did not demonstrate proficiency with the gun she plans to use for self-defense. Is this an important thing? Well, you decide. It might be important to her if her life depended on her ability to use her handgun.

She had not shot her handgun for two years. It absolutely drives me nuts when I hear someone say something like that. I can just imagine this nice lady returning to her car after a shopping trip and being accosted by a mugger. At which time she pulls out her trusty pistol and starts spraying lead around. Never mind that there are innocent folks like me out there that might be within her range of fire. Do you think she would be aware of her backstop? What kind of speed and accuracy would one expect from someone who had not fired the gun for two years? Is the gun likely to function anyway?

I asked this sweet lady what she would do if during the night someone broke into her home intent on doing her harm. She had a plan. She would shoot them in the legs. She didn't want to kill anyone. Why didn't I think of that? I would have done something stupid like center tap the SOB with 12 gauge 00 buckshot.

One of the other students in the renewal class had a malfunction during the shooting test. The instructor could not clear the gun and asked me to assist. It was some brand of 1911 frame 45. I noted that the magazine was broken and trying to feed all the bullets into the chamber of the gun. When I pushed the bullets back into the magazine and pressed the magazine release, the whole mess fell into my hand. I handed the pistol back to the student and walked off thinking, "He was sure lucky it happened here and not in a life and death situation." I wonder how mechanically sound the rest of his equipment is?

When I finished shooting I had a jagged 2-inch hole just right of center on the target. OK, I'll admit to the fact that I practice a lot. I noted that other shooter's targets looked like they had used a scattergun. The fellow next to me was shooting at the head of the target when it was at close range (3 yards). He missed two shots at that distance. The instructor advised him to shoot at center mass and he would be less likely to drop any more shots. You would think that folks would get a clue and decide that they need to do a little more shooting to improve their accuracy. Out of a possible 250 points you only need 175 points or 70% to pass the shooting portion of the test. So I guess there is little incentive to do better than what is required to pass.

Another student in the class noted that he carried his gun with him in his vehicle all the time. I pressed him a little and inquired where in the car he kept his weapon. He said that he kept it between the two front seats. Bingo! He provided a golden opportunity for me to expound on another of my pet peeves. I explained that most car hijackings occur when the owner is about to enter the vehicle. Would he say to the hijacker, " Just a minute while I reach into my car to get something?" I've always said that if you intend to carry a gun, you should carry it on your person. Don't put your gun in a place where you can't get to it in a hurry if you need it.

Finally, here are some thoughts and suggestions to all you CHL holders out there. Why not go to a shooting range or out into the south 40 and pop off a box of shells once a month? You will gain in a number of ways if you do this simple thing. Your accuracy will improve to acceptable levels. Your proficiency will improve and you will be better prepared should you encounter a potentially deadly situation. You can be assured that your equipment will function when called upon. You will be less likely to be injured by your own gun. But most of all, I will feel better about you carrying a concealed handgun.

Security at Home
by
Gary W. Burris

Do you have a plan in case your home is invaded? If not, then now is the time to sit down and work on a plan that will keep you and your family safe.

Let's start with the obvious things one needs to do around the home. Keep plants and shrubs around your house well trimmed. This will help to eliminate hiding places for bad guys. I recommend shrubs like holly and thorn bushes. They are a problem to handle when they need trimmed. But what burglar will want to fight his way through a thorn bush to break in your back window?

I like to have motion sensor lighting around the exterior of the house that will illuminate all entry points. It is also necessary to have good lighting at all entry doors that you can control from the inside. Get the biggest dog water dish you can find and put it by your back door. Write "KILLER" in big letters on it. Do this even if you don't have a dog. A bad guy might stop and consider moving on when he thinks a large animal might be waiting just inside for him.

Deadbolt locks on doors are a must. Get the type that requires a key on both sides. That may keep someone from walking out your door with your big screen TV.

Now let's discuss a plan to survive a home invasion. Children and other adults living in the home need to be involved in working out a plan. They should to know what to do if someone breaks in. Look at each living area in the home paying particular attention to bedrooms. Find a designated safe area in each room to retreat to if the worst happens. For children this might be under their bed. A safe area for you will be somewhere where you have access to a telephone. This safe area should provide good cover and be easy to defend. Also discuss escape routes and assembly areas outside the home similar to a fire escape plan. Have a code word or phrase to use in emergencies. For illustration I'll use "Uncle Jim" as my code phrase.

Plan A

You are startled awake by the sound of breaking glass that seems to be coming from your kitchen area. There are other people living in the house, the possibility exists that they have gone for a late snack and dropped a casserole dish. The point is you don't know. Assume the worst and move to your safe area. Challenge with a loud voice stating that you are armed and have called 911. If you don't get a code word response (It's me, Uncle Jim), dial 911 and prepare to defend your position.

NOTE: I do not recommend that you try to clear the house. Call 911 and advise the police that you have a gun and have barricaded yourself. Do not leave your safe area until you are assured that help has arrived. It is very important that everyone living in the home understand that they must go to their safe area and remain there until a coded all clear is given (Uncle Jim says it is OK to come out).

Plan B

The same scenario as in Plan A except with a twist. You child or your spouse is screaming for help. In order to put Plan B into effect, you must first have practiced moving through your house. You should know how to pie the corners and move without exposing yourself. You have the advantage of knowing the terrain and you can move at your own pace. It will be difficult to move slowly with the sound of panic in your loved one's voice. But you must control the situation and neutralize any other threats as you go. Do not go charging to the rescue like the Lone Ranger. Instead immediately call 911 and advise them of the situation. Once you confront the bad guy holding your loved one as a hostage and shield, you should try to defuse the situation. If negotiation does not work, you must rely on your training to solve the problem. Here again others in the home must not venture from their safe areas until the coded all clear is given. You would not want Aunt Louise to be mistaken for a crook.

Suppose the police have arrived and you are holding a bad guy at gunpoint. The officers will tell you to drop your weapon and put your hands up or something similar. Here is where you need to be very careful. The officers do not know you from Adam. DO NOT make any movement toward the officers because it might be interpreted as an aggressive move. Explain that you are the homeowner and that you are going to unload the weapon very slowly and put the gun down. Once you have made the weapon safe, follow the officer's instructions carefully.

Security in Your Car
by
Gary W. Burris

It is a beautiful day for a drive. So you jump into your chariot and head for the open road. Have you considered what you would do if someone tried to hijack your vehicle? Let's take a look at things you can do for your own security.

First, don't "jump" into your car. Look around before you approach your vehicle. If you see some suspicious looking character lurking around your car just go on by or turn around and retrace your steps to a secure location. This applies at home or in the mall parking lot. Keep your head up and observe everything and everyone around. Make eye contact with those closest to you. If you walk around with your head down looking like a victim, you will probably be a victim. Most car hijackings occur when the owner is entering or exiting his vehicle.

Once in your car keep the doors locked and windows rolled up until you are on the open road. At stop lights and stop signs keep enough distance between you and the car in front just in case you have to make a quick exit. Avoid the temptation to take a short cut through unfamiliar parts of town.

Keep your vehicle in good repair. Preventative maintenance is a good investment in security. If your car breaks down stay inside with the doors locked. Call for assistance on your cell phone. No cell phone? Then walk quickly to the most populated and best-illuminated area you can see. If a Good Samaritan stops to offer assistance, crack the window just enough to tell them that help is on the way or give them a number to call for assistance. Do not exit your vehicle.

Carry a handgun on your person not in the glove box or under your seat. You will need immediate access to your weapon if your life is in the balance.

Security on the Street
by
Gary W. Burris

I grew up in a small town where it was possible to walk the streets at anytime day or night without fear that you would be mugged. Well, you might get a water balloon thrown at you but nothing more serious than that. You have to be street smart to make it in today's world.

How do you handle a confrontation? The best way is to avoid it. If you see a group of unruly types, simply cross the street before you get to them. Walk with purpose. Do not stroll along as though you are unsure of yourself.

Don't be distracted. When someone tries to stop you by asking directions simply say "no" and continue on your way. If someone steps into you path, put out your weak side hand in a gesture indicating your intention to proceed uninterrupted and say in a commanding voice "get back." Being rude may save your life.

Be alert as you walk about. Notice everyone and make eye contact with those who seem to have a special interest in your activities. Watch for ambush points and move to avoid them where possible. Notice if people inside your favorite Stop-and-Rob are acting normally. If things don't look right, do not enter. Likewise, when you exit take a quick look before stepping into a problem.

Carry any spending cash in your front pocket. Never pull out a wallet stuffed with greenbacks. This serves a couple of purposes. First, you won't expose the fact that you have any more cash than in your hand. Secondly, it gives you something to throw down if someone gets the drop on you and demands your money.

When walking with a friend or family member, make sure they are on your weak side so that access to your protection won't be hindered.

Security at Work
by
Gary W. Burris

Personal safety in the workplace is something that most employers strive to be good at providing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has a set of rules governing safety in the workplace. Security is another matter entirely.

My employer has a no gun policy. I would not have a problem with this policy except for the fact that criminals and mentally unstable folks will probably not be influenced by "policy." The only thing I can do as an employee to protect myself is to carry an edged weapon of some sort. Also, in my desk is a "letter opener" with a 6-3/4" by 1-1/4" blade that I fashioned from an industrial hacksaw blade. My letter opener has a razor sharp edge that you could use for shaving. These may be effective weapons at close range but what is the old saying? "Don't bring a knife to a gunfight."

I work for a large engineering and construction company. There is a lot of stress in this business. One month we have trouble keeping up with the workload and the next there are layoffs. I've been surprised that no one has gone "postal" around here in the last few years. Maybe the folks who work in this business are accustomed to life as a contractor.

I work in a secure area and you need an electronic card to open the door to this floor of the building. We work with confidential process and process control information that needs to be protected from industrial espionage. Note that the security is to protect information not individuals.

We do have the added security of uniformed police officers that lurk around the building's main lobby to check that everyone who enters has an employee identification card. This has come about as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. I wonder what protection they can provide against terror from within.

What would I do if someone came through the building shooting people at random? I have considered my options and there seem only three possibilities. One would be to hide under my desk and hope that I wasn't discovered. I don't like this option because if discovered I would be a sitting duck. The second option doesn't do much for me either. That would be to go on the offensive and move to neutralize the attacker. The third option would be flight. Of the three choices I would probably opt for number three. If the third option were unavailable, I would choose the second. At least I would have a fighting chance. Of course the only real solution would be to respond with deadly force if my life were on the line.

So you ask, "what do you recommend I do to be secure in my workplace?" I wondered when you were going to press for advice. Your situation at work is probably a lot different than mine.

Look around your work area to see what escape routes are available. Determine if you have a safe area that you can retreat to and defend if necessary. Ascertain what direction the most likely threat would come from. Review several different scenarios in your mind to determine what would be the best survival solution for each. By doing some simple mental gymnastics now you will avoid that "deer in the headlights" reaction if something bad happens.

Talk with your employer about making your work place more secure. Things like adding locks to doors, limiting access or added security personnel will go a long way to giving you that warm fuzzy feeling at work. Personally I like the comfort of a Springfield 1911-A1 nestled on my hip.

The International Defensive Pistol Association is Changing
By
Gary W. Burris

The IDPA has made some needed changes. Some are simply due to growth within the relatively young organization. Others have been initiated to insure that the IDPA remains a practical shooting sport.

The "Certified Safety Officer Instructor" program was a much-needed change. Prior to this program all one had to do was attend a training class by another Safety Officer and then you could go about the country training others. The class I attended was absolutely pitiful to put it mildly. The bulk of the classroom time was spent arguing about what changes the IDPA should make to the rules. I came away from this class feeling that something needed to be done to improve the quality of the Safety Officer training.

I noted an inconsistent level of competence among Safety Officers as I traveled about the country competing in matches. The vast majority of these folks did a good job but there were several that should not have been serving in this capacity. I attribute this to the training they received.

Fortunately for me, I received a lot of real world experience with my Tuesday evening shooting club and three local IDPA clubs. I ventured out and have performed Safety Officer duties at several state and national IDPA championship matches.

When my Area Coordinator asked if I'd be interested in becoming a Certified Safety Officer Instructor, I jumped at the chance. It was my opportunity to be a part of the solution to a real problem.

I was excited to hear that the IDPA had established the Area Coordinator program. I know several of the Area Coordinators and will attest to their dedication to the principles of the IDPA.

I believe this program came about due to the growth of the IDPA. Things were starting to get out of hand. Things like all steel or IPSC style scenarios working their way into sanctioned IDPA matches. There is a limited number of staff in Berryville and I'm sure they were unable to keep up. Many of the problems are being addressed by establishing the Area Coordinator position within IDPA.

The role of the Area Coordinator is evolving. I do not claim to know all the functions they will be required to perform. I do know that they recommend Safety Officer Instructors and are responsible for approving courses of fire for sanctioned matches.

The Area Coordinator is called upon to help start new clubs in his area. Starting off on the right foot from the get-go will help clubs adhere to the precepts of the IDPA.

Interpretation of IDPA rules and guidelines is another function of the Area Coordinator. When a question arises that needs clarification, contact your AC who should be able to answer anything related to IDPA. I have added a page to the Tactical Shooters Club web site called "Ask the AC" where questions related to the IDPA can be asked of our Area Coordinator. This is not an open discussion type forum. You simply ask the question and the AC answers. This came about because I noticed that folks were asking our AC questions at local matches. And I figured that there might be a lot of shooters out there with the same or similar questions. So why not post the questions and answers on-line? The web address is http://www.tacticalshooters.com.

A new (green) IDPA rulebook was issued. There are several equipment changes that help level the playing field. Included are such things as guide rod material for the SSP division and barrel lengths in the SSR division.

Other guides/rules have been clarified and include the requirement that the shooter's feet to be 100% behind cover, if available, during target engagement and reloads. Additionally, it covers the percent of steel allowed in a scenario and/or match. Also addressed is the number of non-threat targets used in a scenario.

All in all this is probably the best attempt yet to publish a rulebook that explains the rules and guidelines used in the IDPA.

Personally, I am glad to see the changes that have occurred. There seems to be an effort underway to realign the IDPA with its original stated purpose. And I am in full agreement with keeping the sport practical.

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